Homework Assignment 1: Physical Layer

18759: Wireless Networks [Max. 100 points]

Due Date:8th Feb(In class)

Problem 1: Shannon Capacity Theorem: [15 points]

According to the Shannons Channel capacity theorem:
Channel capacity C = B*log (1 + S/N)
Where B = Bandwidth and S/N = Signal to Noise Ratio.
Answer the following questions with respect to the Channel capacity theorem:
(1) When the Bandwidth increases, what happens?
(2) When the Signal to Noise Ratio increases, what happens?
(3) When the Signal to Noise Ration S/N tends to infinity what happens?
(4) When the Bandwidth tends to infinity what happens?
Solution:
(1) When the Bandwidth increases, what happens?
As the bandwidth of the channel increases, it is possible to make faster changes in
the information signal, thereby increasing the information rate and hence the
channel capacity.
(2) When the Signal to Noise Ratio increases, what happens?
As S/N increases, one can increase the information rate while still preventing
errors due to noise.
(3) When the Signal to Noise Ration S/N tends to infinity what happens?
As S/N -> infinity, an infinite information rate is theoretically possible
irrespective of the bandwidth of the channel.
(4) When the Bandwidth tends to infinity what happens?
As Bandwidth -> infinity, the channel capacity does not approach infinity since
with an increase in Bandwidth, the noise power also increases.

Problem 2: Shannon and Nyquist equations [20 points]

Suppose that the spectrum of a channel is between 10 MHz and 12 Mhz, and an intended
capacity of 8 Mbps.
(1) What should be the SNR in order to obtain this capacity?
(2) How many signaling levels are required to obtain this capacity?
(3) What would be the capacity if the environment starts suffering lesser noise and
the SNR goes up to 27 dB.
(4) Same question as (2) but for the capacity in (3)

Solution:
B=2 Mhz=2*10^6, C=8 Mbps=8*10^6 bps
(1) What should be the SNR in order to obtain this capacity?
Shannon's Theorem:
C=B*log2(1+SNR) <=> 2^(C/B)-1=SNR<=> SNR=15
(2) How many signaling levels are required to obtain this capacity?
Nyquist Theorem:
C=2B*log2(M) <=> 2^(C/2B)=M <=> M=4
(3) What would be the capacity if the environment starts suffering lesser noise and
the SNR goes up to 27 dB.
SNR(dB)=10*log10(SNR)<=>SNR=10^2.7<=>SNR=501 (approximately)
Shannon's Theorem:
C=B*log2(1+501)<=>C=18 Mbps (approximately)
(4) Same question as (2) but for the capacity in (3)
C=18Mbps=18*10^6 bps
Nyquist Theorem:
C=2B*log2(M)<=>M=2^(C/2B)<=>M=22.6 *
* in order to reach the desired capacity we need to round up M, so M=23. However,
typically, M=2^N, so M=32 was the more realistic solution.

Problem 3: Short Answer Questions [25 points]

(1) What do you mean by Dynamic equalization and what problem does it tackle?
(2) Why is it that, when you increase the data rate of a communications system,
typically, the error rate increases?
(3) Explain FEC or forward error correction scheme with an applicable example.
(4) What are the advantages, and disadvantages, of Spread Spectrum techniques?
(5) Give an example that proves that channel reciprocity does not apply to wireless
links.
Solution:
(1) What do you mean by Dynamic equalization and what problem does it tackle?
Dynamic equalization is a method in which multiple delayed copies of the same signal
are combined at the receiver. It is usually a weighted process in which the delayed copies
of the signal are assigned weights dynamically before combining them. This method tries
to offset the affects caused due to multi-path which cause inter-symbol interference by
trying to reconstruct the original signal by using the multiple copies received.
(2) Why is it that, when you increase the data rate of a communications system,
typically, the error rate increases?
Suppose that the presence of a given noise pattern corrupts n bits. When we increase the data
rate, and looking at the time domain, the space between bits is shorter. So, if with the same
noise pattern, and everything else fixed, we double the data rate, then at least 2*n bits would be
corrupted.

(3) Explain FEC or forward error correction scheme with an applicable example.
Forward error correction is a mechanism which is used by the sender in order to tackle
transmission errors due to the channel. The sender adds redundant data in the signal being
sent, so that the receiver can detect and correct errors (within a reasonable bound) and
does not need to ask the receiver to send the data again. Such techniques can be used in
Satellite communication where retransmission could be a real pain as the distances are
huge.
(4) What are the advantages, and disadvantages, of Spread Spectrum techniques?
Advantages:
-provides privacy via the use of random codes
-gain in immunity from various kinds of noise and multipath distortion
-share of the same bandwidth with multiple users
-...
Disadvantages:
-complex implementation
-bandwidth inefficiency for small number of users
(5) Give an example that proves that reciprocity does not apply to wireless
links.
Link corresponds to the packet level connection between two devices, and many factors that
affect throughput may be different on the two devices. Consider two nodes A and B. B has 100
nodes in its communication range. A can only communicate with B. Due to the interference
caused by the other nodes, the throughput in B will be smaller than the throughput in A.

Problem 4: Free Space Loss model [25 points]

Consider a communications system operating in the 5.9 GHz band. Assuming the free
space loss model for signal attenuation, the gain of both transmitting and receiving
antenna to be 1 dB, and a noise level of -85 dBm, calculate:
(1) The range of communication if the transmission power is 100mW;
(2) The transmission power if you wanted a communication range of 3 Km;
(3) What would happen in (1) if the frequency was 900 MHz.
Solution:
(1) The range of communication if the transmission power is 100mW;
Pr (W) / Pt (W) = Gt*Gr* / (4**d)
Pt=100mW=10*log10(100*0.001) dBm=20 dBm
Pr=-85 dBm
(we consider that to be able to decode the signal, Pr must be <= the noise level)
=c/f<=> =(3*10) / (5.9*10^9) = 0.051 (approximately)
Pr (dBm) - Pt (dBm)=1+1+20*log10()-20*log10(4)-20*log10()-20*log10(d)<=>
d=908 m (approximately)
(2) The transmission power if you wanted a communication range of 3 Km;
d=3 Km=3000 m
Pt=1 w (approximately)
(3) What would happen in (1) if the frequency was 900 MHz.
=0.333 => d=5932 m (approximately)

Problem 5: True or False [15 points]

In the questions below, please provide True or False for the statements; justify your
answer with proper argument(s).
(1) Data throughput is the same as modulation rate of the signal.
(2) In modeling a given wireless communications systems, in which the two node are
in an urban scenario, with no LOS path, Additive White Gaussian Noise channel
model is a good guide for the designer.
(3) Frequency Diversity is achieved by spreading the signal in time by sending multiple copies
of the signal at different time instants.
(4) Multipath propagation always improves the SNR.
Solution:
(1) Data throughput is the same as modulation rate of the signal.
False: Data throughput is the gross bit rate at which data passes a point in the
transmission path whereas modulation rate is the rate at which a carrier signal is varied to
represent the information in a digital signal
(2) In modeling a given wireless communications systems, in which the two node are
in an urban scenario, with no LOS path, Additive White Gaussian Noise channel
model is a good guide for the designer.
False: AWGN model considers thermal noise, but does not consder the effects of multipath, and
the lack of LOS path. In this scenario, the Rayleigh channel model would be appropriate.
(3) Frequency Diversity is achieved by spreading the signal in time by sending multiple
copies of the signal at different time instants.
False: Time diversity is exploited by sending multiple copies of the signal at different
time instants; frequency diversity is used by sending the signal at different frequencies.
(4) Multipath propagation always improves the SNR.
False: Multi-path effect can attenuate the signal received at the receiver if the multiple
copies received are out of phase. However it can also cause constructive interference at
the receiver if the signals received are in phase, hence causing the signal to increase in
strength.